No home warranties or home inspections in Iowa? (Des Moines, Iowa City: for sale by owner, real estate)

[Lovethem]

We are moving to the Pella/Oskaloosa area from out of state and were quite surprised to find out that Iowa does not have home inspections or home warranties when buying and selling real estate. We've been told this by realtors and a real estate attorney. What gives? How do we know a house isn't going to break down or become a money pit? Is there something you all do in leiu of these?

[mthawki]

A home warranty would be rare in any location unless it was a new construction. As far as an inspection goes, you should have that contingency as part of your offer. That's just common sense! If a seller doesn't want you to have an inspection, then you don't want that house.

[Luke9686]

Find another Realtor, and attorney. I'm from Iowa and know for a fact that information is false.

[wantchange]

I agree with Luke...... Get a new Realtor and Attorney quickly. I am a Realtor in Iowa and yes we do have home inspections and home warranties. I would recommend using HSA. low cost and keep their promises.

[Southside Shrek]

I think home warranties are almost meaningless here in Indiana, especially with all the 'exclusions' and 'deductibles' written into them. If I am buying a home, I would rather accept the $500+ cash from the Seller rather than getting one of those so-called home warranties.

[Lovethem]

Thank you. There are 2 attorneys telling us this so we will definately be asking about this again. Does anyone have a contact for HSA (what does that acronym stand for?)? We could only find certified home inspectors out of Des Moines, can't imagine how pricey that travel would be <smile>. We are working with real estate attorney's in lieu of a real estate agent as the property is for sale by owner. Where we are from inspections and warranties are the norm, one wouldn't think of buying a property without it - it just protects both sides you know?

[SoccerMom811]

I lived in Iowa from 1987-2006 and I can tell you w/o a doubt that there are home inspection services and home warranty companies that work in the state. We owned 5 different homes during that time and had inspections done on 3 of them. We have used NPI but their website doesn't cover Oskaloosa. I googled though and found this outfit, Independent Home Inspection Services, (641) 673-3532. Make sure they are bonded, insured, qualified, all that. Good luck! I would also call NPI and ask them to recommend someone if possible.

[SoccerMom811]

Regarding HSA, this is their website...

The Right Home Warranty--onlineHSA.com

[des moines lifer]

Just came across your post. There are many qualified inspectors in the area, and willing to travel to Pella or wherever in the state of Iowa. Try CSI Home Inspections 515-262-3813. As for home warranties, I agree with one of the other posters, they are a joke. So many exclusions your chances of using it are about as good as winning the lotto.

[Bloviator]

We have purchased two homes in Iowa City in the past 15 years and in both cases, the lender wouldn't touch the deal without a house inspection first. It may not be required by law (??) but no bank will give you a loan on a house without some assurance that you're not buying a money pit. I am not familiar with home warranties but I believe a seller must disclose any existing problems.